Tuscola High School student arrested for threats of mass violence

A 16-year-old Tuscola High School student was arrested by Haywood County Sheriff’s Office deputies Thursday afternoon, April 18, and charged with a felony after telling fellow students he planned to commit mass acts of violence at the school the following day.

Deputies arrested Jonathan Miller Tingle of Clyde shortly after 3:30 p.m. and charged him with making a false report of mass violence on educational property — a Class I felony, according to Haywood County Sheriff Greg Christopher.

Tingle is alleged to have told classmates he planned to “commemorate” the anniversary of the school shootings at Columbine High School on Friday. The Columbine massacre occurred on April 20, 1999, in Colorado.

“We take these situations very seriously,” Christopher said. “School safety is of the upmost importance to us. We will continue to diligently work to protect our children, as well as the teachers and staff in our schools.”

Tingle was jailed in lieu of $10,000 secured bond. His first court appearance is scheduled for May 1.